our truly close friends who are close to us in many ways. and some of us, it's closer than others. i hope that somewhere i can be able to stick this to my cousins in as you al-- australia and point out that i was here in favor to speak out in favor of this bill. at this time, mr. speaker, i would like to yield the time and control of the rest of our time to the gentleman, mr. smith. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman is recognized. mr. smith: mr. chairman, i yield myself such time as i may consume. i yield myself such time as i may consume. mr. chairman, this legislation is comprised of three components. first, it authorizes the transfer of certain naval vessels to u.s. friends and allies abroad, including india, greece and taiwan. it also includes language previously adopted by the house that strengthens the u.s. commitment to security in the jewish state of israel by expediting the process of approving foreign sales to that country and by extending the dates and amounts of u.s. excess equipment that can be transferred to israel from regional stockpiles. thi